[exa]

Can anyone tell me as to how to use a laserwriter select 360 on a G4 running OS 9.04 via scsi? I'm a little stuped now...

In case this is of interest - I'm running a LWS 360 with my iMac 350 - running from the ethernet port on the iMac by cross-over cable to an Asanté Friendly Bridge - then LocalTalk and serial 8pin din cables from the bridge to the printer. Worked like a charm right from plug-in.

The Asanté is approx $100 U.S. comes complete with cross-over cable and beautiful diagrams.

Tip: FastNet brand of LocalTalk connectors contain built-in on/off termination switches - approx $10 U.S. each.

WDL

[exa]

Hmm, problem is, I need the ethernet free, its my internet connection! Is there any usb kind of connection that works?

Can't help you on a USB connection other than to save you some money - do NOT get a Keyspan USB/serial adapter because it does not work with AppleTalk.

There are others who can/will advise you on suitable adapters to do what you want.

WDL

[MacOS761]

Get a g4Port from Griffin (www.griffintechnologies.com). I've ordered one, and it will give you a fully functional serial port on your G4! In fact, if you order from Outpost, it's cheaper and you can get a 3-way serial switch for free! Be careful, tho - you need a g4Port, not a gPort, which works with the B/W G3's. The device will take up your modem slot, which I assume you don't need if you're using the Ethernet. Please ask more questions, and mine will arrive in a few days so I can tell you more specifics then (it's on backorder).

[MacOS761]

Oh, yeah, they cost about $45, add a few bucks if you need a serial cable.

[MacOS761]

Hey... just installed my g4port last night, hooked it up to my Personal LaserWriter NTR, and it worked the first time around! I REALLY strongly suggest the g4port to people who need localtalk/appletalk via serial cabling for g4's!

This isn't for the faint of heart, but...

You can find an old Mac (IIci, IIvx, LCIII, etc) that can support an ethernet card and hook that system up to your ethernet equipped new (non serial) Mac, and use the older machine as a bridge. You'll be using the older machines localtalk ports, while keeping your ethernet port free (just get a cheap hub). Let me know if you want more information.


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Eliott Wolfe
Winnetka, Calif

[Xyphoid Process]

I think the ethernet connection requirement is a bit misleading. There's no reason I know of why you can't put a hub in between your computer and (I'm assuming) your cable/dsl modem - as long as there is only one computer looking for the modem (some ISPs allow 2). I've got a G4/400 going to a standard hub with my ADSL and my old 5200 connected (had to buy an ethernet card for the 5200). I then run the free bridge software on the 5200 and my Laserwriter NT prints perfectly. I can surf while transferring files between computers, so there are no conflicts.

If you want to skip the 5200 step, I set up an Asante localtalk-ethernet convertor at my last job and it is a rock-solid solution. No experience with the modem-slot card but that sounds even better than a hub & adapter...